A man appeared in court yesterday accused of possessing a prohibited weapon by police investigating the discovery of a bomb in a soldier's car.

Richard McDonnell is alleged to have had a Taser-style stun gun at a location in Belfast.

The 40-year-old, of Mill Valley Place in the city, is accused of having the weapon, designed to discharge electricity or any noxious liquids or gas, on January 13.

According to police, the single charge relates to an ongoing probe into a device found inside an off-duty soldier's car at Blackdam Court, north Belfast, eight days earlier.

But no reference was made to that inquiry during a brief appearance before the city's Magistrates Court.

McDonnell was released on continuing bail to appear again in four weeks' time.

Meanwhile, a 41-year-old woman and three men aged 16, 34 and 42, who were arrested by detectives investigating the car bomb, have been released unconditionally.